Emily Abernathy
Case Study: Enhancing Brand Engagement through Strategic Brand Ambassadorship
Executive Summary
Between 2014 and 2017, I had the privilege of working with over two dozen different brands as a Brand Ambassador. This summary highlights some of the most memorable and impactful experiences from that period. My primary roles included sampling luxury drinks, serving as a photographer and brand ambassador for Tagkast, and showcasing my skills as a skating athlete and brand ambassador for Cardiff Skates. Here are some of my favorite experiences and achievements from those years.
Problem:
Various brands sought to enhance their market presence and drive customer engagement through effective brand ambassadorship and promotional activities.
Insights:
Through extensive experience across different brands and product categories, key insights included the necessity of authentic brand representation, dynamic customer engagement, and the importance of detailed event reporting.
Solution:
Deployed strategic approaches to increase brand visibility and foster customer relationships, utilizing compelling product presentations, interactive engagements, and meticulous performance analysis.
Research and Insights
Main Learnings:
Authentic representation of brand culture is crucial for genuine customer connection.
Effective communication and presentation skills significantly impact customer engagement and sales.
Detailed analysis of event metrics provides valuable feedback for continuous improvement.
In-depth research on consumer behavior revealed that customers respond more positively to brand ambassadors who can provide information and an engaging and memorable experience. Learning from each event, strategies were tailored to fit the specific audience and brand goals.
Results
Outcomes
Cardiff Skates: Achieved the status of best regional rep with an average of 500% more sales than the rest of the team, demonstrating the impact of effective product demonstration and customer engagement.
Tagkast: Successfully managed and photographed at high-profile events, enhancing social media presence for brands like JCPenny, Geico, and Carry The Load, through an advanced tablet monopod setup and lead generation activities.
Powerade: Contributed to a vibrant brand presence at major sports events, engaging customers despite challenging conditions and boosting product visibility through immersive experiences.
Impacts Made
Brand Visibility: Enhanced brand presence across various events and retail locations through compelling presentations and strategic engagement.
Customer Engagement: Fostered strong customer relationships by providing memorable and interactive brand experiences.
Sales Performance: Drove significant sales increases, particularly noted in the exceptional performance with Cardiff Skates.
Detailed Experiences
Cardiff Skates:
Achieved outstanding regional sales performance, with sales figures averaging 500% more than the rest of the team. This was facilitated by engaging product demonstrations on smooth floors of Costco and Sam's Clubs, fulfilling a personal dream and translating that enthusiasm into customer engagement.
Tagkast:
Worked at high-profile events, including concerts by Blake Shelton and Usher at the United Way Gala. Utilized Tagkast monopod tablet camera equipment to help concert-goers capture and share group photos on social media, while also generating leads for JCPenny. This experience highlighted the value of integrating fun, interactive elements into promotional activities.
Powerade:
Managed a large event booth at the NCAA Final Four March Madness Music Festival, engaging with attendees through a basketball and Powerade sampling area. Despite freezing weather and challenging conditions, maintained high energy and customer interaction, underscoring the importance of adaptability and resilience in promotional roles.
Challenges Faced and How They Were Overcome
Weather Conditions at Outdoor Events:
During the Powerade event at the NCAA Final Four March Madness Music Festival, faced freezing temperatures without adequate gloves. Overcame this by maintaining high energy, continuously engaging with customers, and making quick adjustments to the booth setup to keep the focus on the product experience.
High Competition and Sales Targets:
With Cardiff Skates, faced the challenge of outperforming other regional reps. Addressed this by leveraging the unique opportunity to skate on smooth store floors, creating engaging demonstrations that captivated customers and drove sales.
Complex Event Logistics:
At Tagkast events, managed the logistical complexities of setting up and operating interactive photo booths in crowded concert environments. Overcame these by meticulous planning, effective teamwork, and real-time problem-solving.
Conclusion
Through these comprehensive and strategic approaches, I successfully enhanced brand visibility, fostered meaningful customer relationships, and drove significant sales increases across various brands and product categories. The experiences and insights gained from these roles have equipped me with a deep understanding of effective brand ambassadorship and its impact on marketing success.
Photos
Tagkast: JCPenny x United Way Gala Concert
The shot from walking into work.
Cardiff Skate Day
Can't beat skating on these smooth floors.
Aberlour Workshop